Would you describe yourself as patriotic?

[charlou]

I do love the US, and I don't see why loving the country I was born and raised in has to be such a horrid thing. It's certainly no virtue, IMHO, to think that one's country sucks ass. Is that value judgment any "better?" My country sucks? That's o.k.? Or, that's more "nuanced" than "I love my country?"

For many people it's not as polemic as the two extremes you suggest here, but a case of being emotionally neutral (by this, I don't mean apathy). And for many of those people, neutrality is an important aspect of maintaining a higher level of objectivity.

I can see that. However, by the same token, it ought to be understandable that a person can be loyal and devoted to one's family and country, and still maintain objectivity. That loyalty and devotion need not be absolute or unconditional toward any government, and patriotism often requires active resistance to a government or a State.

Yes, tattuchu put that rather succinctly here: http://www.rationalia.com/forum/viewtop ... 36#p838736

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I find the people who automatically declare they're not a patriot as amusing as those who automatically declare they ARE a patriot. Both extremes aren't thinking about the issue, they're just saying what they're supposed to say.

I know you don't understand the problem with reflexive response that aren't filtered through a rational thought process. I've seen your posts.

[egbert]

I like my planet.

Agreed. But I don't like most of the gasholes of my species with whom I have to co-inhabit the planet. Other species, denigrated as "animals" seem much more decent, and "green".

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I like my planet.

Agreed. But I don't like most of the gasholes of my species with whom I have to co-inhabit the planet. Other species, denigrated as "animals" seem much more decent, and "green".

Oh, I always try to remember to distinguish between "humans" and "people".

[sandinista]

I find the people who automatically declare they're not a patriot as amusing as those who automatically declare they ARE a patriot. Both extremes aren't thinking about the issue, they're just saying what they're supposed to say.

I know you don't understand the problem with reflexive response that aren't filtered through a rational thought process. I've seen your posts.

blah blah blah...

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I find the people who automatically declare they're not a patriot as amusing as those who automatically declare they ARE a patriot. Both extremes aren't thinking about the issue, they're just saying what they're supposed to say.

I know you don't understand the problem with reflexive response that aren't filtered through a rational thought process. I've seen your posts.

blah blah blah...

[Evabot]

to which country?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

to which country?

Botswana.

[sandinista]

I find the people who automatically declare they're not a patriot as amusing as those who automatically declare they ARE a patriot. Both extremes aren't thinking about the issue, they're just saying what they're supposed to say.

I know you don't understand the problem with reflexive response that aren't filtered through a rational thought process. I've seen your posts.

blah blah blah...

[Evabot]

I do like a band from South Africa...

Patriotic...meh, I'm not anti-patriotic. I also don't go around wearing an American flag.

OR DO I?!?!?!?!?!

[charlou]

I do like a band from South Africa...

Patriotic...meh, I'm not anti-patriotic. I also don't go around wearing an American flag.

OR DO I?!?!?!?!?!

(nice avatar, btw *lick*)

[Evabot]

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!